HE The Minister delivers keynote speech as energy forum

HE The Minister delivers keynote speech as energy forum

Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza delivered the keynote speech during a French Chamber of Commerce and Industry forum, held at the in Bahrain, Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel.Chamber Chairman Jean Christophe Durand and Vice President Walid Kanoo, along with members and businessmen were present.The minister gave a presentation on renewable energy projects in Bahrain and thanked the leadership for their keen interest in encouraging investment in clean energy. He said the Council of Ministers, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, had approved the setting up of a 100 megawatt solar power plant in partnership with the private sector. He also thanked His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister for encouraging investment in renewable and sustainable energy, one of the priorities of the government's work programme.The minister spoke about the important steps taken by the government by setting up the Sustainable Energy Unit in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme. He said the unis unit is charged with encouraging investment in renewable energies such as solar energy. He said renewable energy is expected to reduce the dependence on conventional energy substantially by 2035. The minister said the National Energy Efficiency Plan (NEEAP) and the National Renewable Energy Plan (NREAP) were approved earlier this year. A national committee for their implementation have been set up. The committee is chaired by the Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs and includes senior officials from all ministries and agencies Governmental organizations.The minister welcomed the holding of the event in Bahrain and stressed on the depth of historical relations between Bahrain and France, especially in the fields of electricity, water and renewable energy, as well as the longstanding trade relations.The minister also thanked the organizers â€“ who include Mr. Durand, and the Board of Directors of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the sponsors, speakers and participants for their efforts in preparing for the event, that would benefit the national economy and the strengthen historical relations between the two friendly countries.The event organizers expressed their thanks and gratitude to the minister for his positive response and his agreeing to be a keynote speaker.